Introduction: Just before 2006 came to an end, we debuted our article on the STZ 631MFBA, a member Daiwa's new line of Steez fishing rods. Since that debut, we've been inundated with requests for a look at the higher end model of these already ultra-premium sticks, the famed SVF Compile-X rod - the very same stick that caused Ish Monroe, after fishing with it the very first time, to kick his girlfriend out of bed. Though Ish claims it is a true story, we had a hard time taking his word for it.
After all, what kind of rod could inspire that bold of a move? Come to think of it, a rod that might be able to inspire that kind of madness sounds right up our alley. Dedicated TackleTour fans, it is now time to bring to you, our review on the STZ 711HFBA SVF Compile-X rod.

Daiwa Steez STZ 711HFBA Specifications

Material

Daiwa SVF Compile-X Graphite

Length

7'1"

Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base

9.5"

Line Wt.

16 - 30lb

Lure Wt.

1/4 - 1 1/2 ounces

Pieces

One

Guides

8 + Tip (Ti Framed SiC Inserts)

Power Rating

Heavy

Taper

Fast

Rod Weight

4.0 Ounces

Manufacturing Country

Japan

MSRP

$500

Introducing the Steez SVF Compile-X Baitcaster

Impressions: How insane is this stick? Well, after taking mine out of its PVC shipping tube, feeling it my hand, flexing the tip, sampling its balance and incredibly light weight, I immediately turned around and ordered another. I didn't have to have just one, I had to have two, and I almost ordered a third. I stopped myself short of on the last one figuring I better fish the one I had in my possession and the other I had enroute, before making it a trio.

The Alphas Ito Ai coordinates nicely with this stick

Why such enthusiasm and fanfare for a rod I had yet to fish? Well, first off, the STZ 711HFBA is the lightest 7', heavy powered fishing rod I have ever felt. Or at least, it seemed that way because of its extremely good balance. The rod is detailed with just enough red colored highlights to make the rod interesting, yet, it is not overblown. The exclusive AirBeam reel seat is incredibly comfortable in hand - especially when matched with nice, light, lowprofile baitcaster, and last but not least, the ensemble of this entire package, something formerly reserved only for the Japanese domestic market (JDM), is actually being offered in a bonafide US domestic market product! Is it all too good to be true?

But a TD-Z 103HL Custom in Metallic Red steals the show

Lab Tests: Of course, what rod review would be complete without an actual comparison against a rival products? I strapped the Steez STZ 711HFBA up on our RoD WRACK and took some deflection measurements in a load range from two to thirty two ounces.

Lab Results for Daiwa Steez STZ 711HFBA

Model

Avg RoD (2-32 oz)

Rated Action

Spine

Measured Weight

Balance Point

STZ 711HFBA

1.44

Heavy

Unable to Discern

4.0 oz

9"

BCR893 GLX

1.57

Medium Heavy

Bottom

4.9 oz

9"

MBR844C GLX

1.47

Heavy

Bottom

4.7 oz

7.5"

Rate of Deflection (RoD):What I discovered was that, this rod behaved very similarly to two previously measured sticks, an MBR844C GLX and a BCR893C GLX. In fact, when I held the STZ 711HFBA in my hand and tested its tip against the ground, before even measuring it, I was reminded of my BCR893C GLX, so I was not surprised to find it indeed, tested out very similarly to that rod as well as the MBR844C GLX from Loomis. You might be thinking, but wait, that BCR stick is a 3 powered rod, isn't it? Yes it is, but given its extra-fast taper, its actual behavior when presenting a bait is more akin to a 4 power.

Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of the STZ 711HFBA as compared to that of a G.Loomis MBR844C GLX and a G.Loomis BCR893 GLX - all three rods are fairly comparable in overall power.

Spine, Weight, and Balance Point:The interesting thing about this SVF Compile-X rod was no matter how hard I tried, I could not locate a definitive spine. Nevertheless, as previously discussed, the weight and balance point of
this stick is outstanding. While it does not balance out quite as nicely as an MR844C GLX, it is almost three quarters of an ounce lighter and this difference is discernable when holding these sticks in either hand.

Rigged and ready to go with a Megabass Vision 110 in ProBlue

Rated as a fast taper rod, the STZ 711HFBA might actually be more off a mod-fast taper

Real World Test:But enough of the lab tests and on to more important things like figuring out which reels match up with this stick most favorably. With two of these sticks now in my possession, you'd think this decision would be easier, but it wasn't. It finally came down to how I wanted to use each stick and the conclusion was, one stick for jigs and the other for smaller swimbaits. With that approach in mind, it was easy to quickly narrow down my reel choices.

JIP could not take his hands off this combo

A look at the custom designed and built foregrip/lockring mechanism of the STZ 711HFBA